when we thought we had grown too old for PBS and classical music, Grabbie gave us yarn and tried to teach us the intracacies of casting on stitches. what seemed effortless in her skilled hands, was an insurmountable challenge for us. sitting and puzzling over dropped stitches could not hold our attention the way that Mr. Fiedler and his Pops had. those shimmering needles were tucked safely back into Grabbie's knitting bag, and my sisters and i got on with the busy-ness of being teenagers, young adults, mothers.
Grabbie passed away on tuesday, at the wonderful age of 93 and three quarters.
on wednesday, i bought a pair of knitting needles and cast on a row of stitches. i haven't stopped since then.
jack looks over my shoulder. he tries his hand at a few stitches, swiftly losing interest after a few moments. i don't have an extra pair for him to use as a conducter's baton. yet.
jack asks if i will be knitting forever.
i hope so, i reply. i wish i hadn't waited this long to start.
23 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother's passing, but I think that it is awesome that you have started knitting. My grandmother was into crocheting, and I wish I had taken the time to learn before she passed on.
picking up a hobby, past time, or tradition of a loved is a wonderful way to memorialize them.
knitting is one of the most frustrating things i have ever done, and yet i keep going back to it. next year i am determined to push past the fumbling beginner stage.
I wish I could give you a hug! Get him that extra set, just watch out for swords and guns as well as a conducter's baton... I'm so sorry about your Grandmother.
I'm sorry for the loss of your sweet Grabbie, but how wonderful that she lived 93 3/4 years! That's really something.
I am so sorry for your loss. I posted a week or so about my grandmother, memories of grandmothers are priceless and i think it is wonderful that you have memories with her. Knitting is somthing I have always wanted to do since living in Chile. Now my kids want to learn. I think it is great you are knitting.
What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I will keep you in my prayers. Merry Christmas, Lelly.
I'm sorry about your Grabbie. It's always hard, no matter how long and wonderful their life was. I think it's beautiful that you will have this connection with her -- it's a lovely tribute.
I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma's passing! I love the knitting and the memories that it brings you! I love Jack's question to you - If you will be knitting forever! To me that is so funny!
I loved your Christmas card! Such great photos!!!
I am sorry to hear about your Grandma's passing. I hope you wear the sweater she made while you knit.
so sorry to hear about grabbie.
lovely tribute to her and the yarn looks yummy! i am sure that every time you knit, you will think of her. how sweet.
i have tried knitting but i was so very bad at it and so very frustrated with it. (even wrote an spt about it!!)
we have a mom in e's class who is going to "teach" us in january so i am excited to start again.
ps- can't believe you can still remember how to cast on and all of that! wow!
Glad that you are doing something to honor Grabbie. I wish I knew how to knit. I can crochet pretty darn good though. :)
I'm sorry that you lost your Grabbie! You reminded me of my own childhood and playing alongside my grandma while she knitted away! Good thing we have our memories to remind of us people we have lost. You are in my thoughts and prayers. :o)
What a great thing to pass on!
I have started calling around to get a babysitter all day for saturday 1/17. Kim and I would love to show you around N.O. all day kid-free! Are there certain things you want to do or can we plan that day for you?
What about the rest of your time here? I don't want to be your travel agent if you don't want one but I am getting excited.
I will email you our phone #.
You have found a beautiful way to honour your grandmother. I hope while you stitch you feel close to her and feel comforted at her passing.
Thank you for sharing your sweet memories with us. I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, but happy you have such fond thoughts as you cast on.
What are you making?
Now you're SPT makes perfect sense, Lelly.
What a touching post. Aren't you glad for tangible reminders to get you through hurt?
I'm thinking of you lots.
So sorry to hear of your loss. What a great talent you have. That's certainly something that I can't do.
i'm sure your knitting needles are making grabbie smile. what a great post lelly!
Grandmothers are cozy and wonderful things. I'm sorry to hear about the passing of yours. Mine is getting up there, too. We keep saying "anytime."
I love the image of you dancing and conducting with your sisters. So fun! Hopefully Jack is still boy enough to carry on the tradition. :)
What a sweet post about your Grabbie...it is hard to lose loved ones so I am sending hugs and prayers your way.
Knitting seems so cosy and soothing--maybe I'll have to learn how in my spare time.
{Hugs}
What a sweet story about your "Grabbie". What a wonderful talent she taught you.
My deepest sympathy with her passing, even at the age of 93 and 3/4...
Oh. Oh. OH!!
My grandma taught me to knit when I as about 12, but I can't do it anymore. I would love to pick it up again!
I hope Jack has a conductor's baton soon, I am totally loving that image. I hope you will be knitting forever.
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